New College Basketball Rule Irks Coach K

I’ll be the first one to admit that deciding between a charge and a block is probably the hardest call to make on the basketball court. There’s no consistency. Big time players and schools always seem to come away with the charges (can anyone say … Duke?). Perhaps that is why the NCAA decided to institute a new rule for the 2009-2010 college basketball season.

Ironically enough, Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski isn’t a fan. The new rule specifies an unmarked zone under the basket where referees can call only blocks and not charges on offensive players.

Coach K is probably arguing against a block call at this very moment.

“It’ll be a joke, because it will become a joke,” Krzyzewski said, according to SI.com.

Coach K agrees with the purpose of the rule, because he believes that players shouldn’t be called for charging underneath the basket. But he said the no-charging zone — which extends from the backboard to the front of the rim — should be marked on the floor. Otherwise, it’s a guessing game.

I think the new rule is silly. Offensive players shouldn’t have the right to run over the defense on the way to the basket, no matter where they are on the court. Look for more coaches to come forward and complain about this rule during the season.

Image: Zuma Press